2020-02-04 MinutesY.OF' OKEE�y
�CITY OF OKEECHOBEE, FLORIDA
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FEBRUARY 4, 2020, REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
' SUMMARY OF COUNCIL ACTION
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Watford called the regular session of the City Council for the City of Okeechobee to order
on Tuesday, February 4, 2020, at 6:00 P.M. in the City Council Chambers, 55 Southeast 3rd
Avenue, Room 200, Okeechobee, Florida.
A. The invocation was offered by Pastor Chad Keathley, Okeechobee Church of God.
B. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mayor Watford.
II. ATTENDANCE
City Clerk Lane Gamiotea called the roll. Mayor Dowling R. Watford, Jr., Council Members Wes
Abney, Monica Clark, Bob Jarriel, and Bobby Keefe were present.
CITY STAFF: City Attorney John Fumero, City Administrator Marcos MontesDeOca, Police Chief
Bob Peterson, Fire Chief Herb Smith, Public Works Director David Allen, and Deputy City Clerk
Bobbie Jenkins were present.
III. AGENDA AND PUBLIC COMMENTS
A. At the request of Council Member Jarriel, and the consensus of the Council, New
Business Item VILE. was withdrawn from the agenda to provide additional time for the
Council to review the information provided.
B. Council Member Keefe moved to approve the agenda as amended; seconded by Council
Member Abney.
Mayor Watford, Council Members Abney, Clark, Jarriel, and Keefe voted: Aye.
Nays: none. Motion Carried.
C. There were no agenda item forms or comment cards submitted for public participation for
any issues not on the agenda.
IV. PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS
A. Mayor Watford yielded the floor to Council Member Jarriel who recognized and
congratulated five Okeechobee High School Seniors for being selected out of 123
applicants to receive scholarships from the South Florida Fair. In attendance were Mr.
Patrick Lehman, Mr. Cody Deloney, and Miss Kaitlyn Williams. Miss Aubrey Pearce and
Mr. David Daniel also received scholarships but were unable to attend.
B. Mayor Watford presented a Certificate of Appreciation to Ms. Jackie Dunham for her
service on the General Employees' Pension Fund Board of Trustees, which was read into
the record as follows: "The City of Okeechobee, Florida recognizes the valuable
contribution of community involvement and hereby extends this expression of
grateful appreciation to Jacqueline L. Dunham for faithful service as a dedlicated
Member elected to the City of Okeechobee General Employees' Pension Trust Fund
Board of Trustees from January 27, 2016 to December 31, 2019."
V. CONSENT AGENDA
A motion was made by Council Member Jarriel to approve the consent agenda item A,
excluding item B [January 21, 2020, Regular meeting minutes]; seconded by Council
Member Clark.
Mayor Watford, Council Members Abney, Clark, Jarriel, and Keefe voted: Aye.
Nays: none. Motion Carried.
Council Member Abney requested item B be removed from the consent agenda for
discussion to clarify the purpose and necessity of the door release switch. Administrator
MontesDeOca explained the switch is required to override the new automatic locking
mechanism on the exterior doors at City Hall. The system is currently set to unlock the
doors at 7:50 A.M. and lock them at 4:30 P.M. Monday through Friday. However, when
meetings are held after 4:30 P.M., the doors must remain unlocked for the duration of the
February 4, 2020 Regular Meeting Page 1 of 8
meeting. The system is being manually overridden on meeting nights, requiring the last
person to leave City Hall to lock the deadbolts.
A motion was made by Council Member Clark to approve the change of scope of the
Security 101 Contract in the amount of $792.15 for the installation of a door release switch
at City Hall [Contract total is now $22,714.12 as provided in Exhibit 1]; seconded by
Council Member Keefe.
Mayor Watford, Council Members Abney, Clark, Jarriel, and Keefe voted: Aye.
Nays: none. Motion Carried.
VI. MAYOR WATFORD OPENED THE PUBLIC HEARING AT 6:20 P.M.
A. A motion was made by Council Member Clark to read by title only, and adopt proposed
Ordinance No. 1201 regarding Rezoning Petition No. 19-006-R, submitted by Mr. Omar
Abuaita to rezone Lots 1 through 10, and 17 through 26 of Block 39, CITY OF
OKEECHOBEE, Plat Book 5, Page 5, Okeechobee County Public Records, from
Industrial (IND) to Residential Multiple Family (RMF) [as provided in Exhibit 2]; seconded
by Council Member Abney.
Attorney Fumero read proposed Ordinance No. 1201 by title only as follows: "AN
ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF OKEECHOBEE, FLORIDA; AMENDING THE
OFFICIAL ZONING MAP OF THE CITY OF OKEECHOBEE BY REZONING A
CERTAIN TRACT OF LAND MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED HEREIN, FROM
IND TO RMF ZONING DISTRICT (PETITION NO. 19-006-R); AMENDING THE
ZONING MAP ACCORDINGLY; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICT; PROVIDING FOR
SEVERABILITY; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
City Planning Consultant Mr. Ben Smith of LaRue Planning and Management Services
explained Planning Staff, as well as the Planning Board, recommend approval based on
the Staff findings: the proposed Rezoning is not contrary to Comprehensive Plan
requirements as the surrounding properties in the same area of the subject property are
zoned IND and RMF, and the corresponding Future Land Use (FLU) Map Amendment
Application No. 19 -005 -SSA was approved on January 21, 2020. The proposed
development of multi -family apartments is specifically authorized under the zoning district
and will not have an adverse effect on the public interest, is appropriate for the location,
is reasonably compatible with adjacent land uses, and is not contrary or detrimental to
urbanizing land use patterns. The current surrounding FLU designations to the immediate
South and West are designated IND, to the East is Single Family Residential, and to the
North is Multi -Family Residential. The surrounding zoning districts are RMF to the North
and East, and IND to the South and West. The existing surrounding uses are an asphalt
and concrete company to the South and West, vacant to the North, and apartments to the
East. The proposed use will not adversely affect property values or living conditions, or
be a deterrent to the improvement or development of adjacent property, and can be
suitably buffered from surrounding uses to reduce the impact of any nuisance or hazard
to the neighborhood. The proposed use will not create a density pattern that would
overburden public facilities such as schools, streets, and utility services, will not create
traffic congestion, flooding or drainage problems, or otherwise affect public safety, and
has not been inordinately burdened by unnecessary restrictions.
Mayor Watford opened the floor for public comments. Mr. Steve Dobbs, 209 Northeast
2"d Street, registered agent for the applicant/property owner noted he was present and
available for questions. Clerk Gamiotea noted there were 16 surrounding property owners
notified, two signs were posted on the property, the proposed Ordinance was properly
advertised in the local newspaper, and no objections or correspondences have been
received to date.
Mayor Watford, Council Members Abney, Clark, Jarriel, and Keefe voted: Aye.
Nays: none. Motion Carried.
B. A motion was made by Council Member Jarriel to read proposed Ordinance No. 1203 by
title only, regarding Land Development Regulations (LDR) Text Amendment No. 19 -002 -
TA, amending Code Sections 90-78 to 90-83, 90-105, 90-135, 90-165, 90-167 to 90-172,
and 90-196 [as provided in Exhibit 3]; seconded by Council Member Clark.
February 4, 2020 Regular Meeting Page 2 of 8
Mayor Watford, Council Members Abney, Clark, Jarriel, and Keefe voted: Aye.
Nays: none. Motion Carried.
Attorney Fumero read proposed Ordinance No. 1203 by title only as follows: "AN
ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF OKEECHOBEE, FLORIDA; AMENDING CHAPTER
90 OF THE LDRS OF THE CITY OF OKEECHOBEE; AMENDING SECTION 90-
105, ADDING A MINIMUM DWELLING UNIT SIZE OF 1,000 SQUARE FEET FOR
SINGLE FAMILY DWELLING UNITS IN THE RESIDENTIAL SINGLE FAMILY -ONE
ZONING DISTRICT; AMENDING SECTION 90-135, ADDING A MINIMUM
DWELLING UNIT SIZE OF 900 SQUARE FEET FOR SINGLE FAMILY DWELLING
UNITS IN THE RESIDENTIAL SINGLE FAMILY -TWO ZONING DISTRICT;
AMENDING SECTION 90-165, ADDING A MINIMUM DWELLING UNIT SIZE OF
800 SQUARE FEET FOR SINGLE FAMILY DWELLING UNITS IN THE
RESIDENTIAL MOBILE HOME ZONING DISTRICT; AMENDING SECTION 90-196,
ADDING A MINIMUM DWELLING UNIT SIZE OF 800 SQUARE FEET FOR SINGLE
FAMILY DWELLING UNITS IN THE RESIDENTIAL MULTIPLE -FAMILY ZONING
DISTRICT; RELOCATING HOUSING STANDARDS BY DELETING SECTIONS 90-
167 THROUGH 90-172 FROM DIVISION 4 AND CREATING NEW SECTIONS 90-
78 THROUGH 90-83 IN DIVISION 1; REVISING THE DEFINITION OF MINIMUM
DWELLING UNIT SIZE IN SECTION 90-80; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICT;
PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING FOR CODIFICATION; AND
PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE."
A motion was made by Council Member Clark to adopt proposed Ordinance No. 1203;
seconded by Council Member Abney.
Planner Smith distributed a Planning Staff Report Memorandum explaining his findings
for increasing the minimum size for single family dwellings. The City's current standard is
located in Section 90-169(1) as follows: "any single-family dwelling located in a
Residential Single Family -One (RSF-1), Residential Single Family -Two (RSF-2), RMF, or
Residential Mobile Home (RMH) zoning district shall comply with the following
appearance and design standards. Minimum floor area. The minimum floor area shall be
800 -square feet, including the area of an attached garage (but excluding carport,
screened porch or Florida room) except as provided in subsection (10) herein. To be
eligible for calculation as minimum floor area, such square footage shall be contained
under a single integrated roof system. A roof system designed by the manufacturer to be
a single structure shall be considered an integrated roof system under this subsection
even if delivered in more than one part and assembled on site."
At the October 17, 2019 workshop, the Planning Board agreed that increasing the single
family dwelling minimum unit size was appropriate, with specific standards adopted for
each zoning district where single family dwellings are a permitted use. This allows for the
zoning districts with smaller lot sizes (RMH) to continue to accommodate smaller dwelling
unit sizes and to minimize the number of nonconformities that would be created by this
Code revision. The Board was also dissatisfied with the City's current method of
calculating minimum floor area, pointing out that it is not common to include garage areas
and that the language concerning "integrated roof system" was also not standard. The
Board directed Planning Staff to propose a revised minimum floor area calculation that
more closely aligns with the current zoning standards and is compatible with the Florida
Building Code. Additionally, while reviewing the existing Codes for this task, Planning
Staff discovered several sections of Code that are not organized correctly. Article III of
Chapter 90 is organized into 15 Divisions. Divisions 2 through 12 and 14 each provide
regulations for one specific zoning district. Except that Division 4, which provides the RMH
district regulations, also includes several sections of Code which seem to be intended to
apply to multiple districts. The Board agreed that it is appropriate to move these Sections
to Division 1 of Article III, where they will more clearly apply to other zoning districts
besides just the RMH district.
In response to concerns raised by the Council during the first reading held on January 21,
2020, Planning Staff offers the following: despite research and discussion with a housing
specialist, they were unable to locate a Housing and Urban Development (HUD) standard
for minimum single family dwelling unit size or a HUD definition for floor area or living
area. It is not clear that HUD has a universal minimum floor area or living area standard.
February 4, 2020 Regular Meeting Page 3 of 8
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They work with providers of housing to make sure that housing gets to moderate and low
income family.
An amended proposed Ordinance No. 1203 was provided to clarify the meaning of the
proposed single family dwelling unit minimum size requirements and the related definition
for those requirements. It is typical in municipal codes to only count areas under air for
square footage, and not include garages. The revision does not include garages in the
square footage calculations.
In examining the issue of lot sizes needed to accommodate the proposed minimum living
area standards, it was determined that any lot that meets the existing minimum lot
standards (i.e. minimum lot area and minimum lot width) will also be able to accommodate
a dwelling unit with 1,000 -square feet of living area. This also holds true for corner lots
which require additional side setbacks. For example, the minimum lot requirements for a
single family home in the RMH district is 5,000 -square feet of lot area and 50 -feet of lot
width. Even after accounting for an increased side setback for a corner lot, a 5,000 -square
foot lot leaves a buildable area of approximately 1,750 -square feet.
Mayor Watford opened the floor for public comments; there was none. Council Member
Abney expressed his opinion regarding the exclusion of garages in the minimum square
feet calculation. There was also a brief discussion on the wording in Section 90-80(4).
Attorney Fumero questioned whether the Planning Board felt the Code did not achieve a
specified desired outcome. Planner Smith replied the direction came from the Council, so
Planning Staff presented the Board with the specifics of the current Code, what
surrounding communities have adopted, and what is typical. The Board then based their
decision on the information they were provided. Other changes that the Council discussed
to be considered to Ordinance No. 1203 at the first reading are also noted in the amended
proposed version.
Council Member Abney moved to amend proposed Ordinance No. 1203 adding the words
"and/or" to Section 90-79(1)(a); revising Section 90-80(1) changing the words "minimum
floor area" to "minimum living area;" revising Sections 90-105(e), 90-135(e), 90-165(6)
and 90-196(5) to use the term "single family dwelling unit minimum living area" instead of
"single family dwelling minimum unit size;" and removing the words "shall exclude smooth,
ribbed or corrugated metal or plastic parts" and "cannot have a high -gloss finish and" from
Section 90-80(4); seconded by Council Member Clark.
Mayor Watford, Council Members Abney, Clark, Jarriel, and Keefe voted: Aye.
Nays: none. Motion to Amend Carried.
There being no further discussion offered, Mayor Watford, Council Members Abney,
Clark, Jarriel, and Keefe voted: Aye. Nays: none. Motion Carried as Amended.
C. A motion was made by Council Member Clark to read proposed Ordinance No. 1204 by
title only, regarding LDR Text Amendment No. 19 -003 -TA, amending Off -Street Parking
and Loading in Code Section 90-512 [as provided in Exhibit 4]; seconded by Council
Member Keefe.
Mayor Watford, Council Members Abney, Clark, Jarriel, and Keefe voted: Aye.
Nays: none. Motion Carried.
Attorney Fumero read proposed Ordinance No. 1204 by title only as follows: "AN
ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF OKEECHOBEE, FLORIDA; AMENDING CHAPTER
90 OF THE LDRS OF THE CITY OF OKEECHOBEE; AMENDING SECTION 90-
512, CREATING A NEW MINIMUM RESTAURANT PARKING STANDARD BASED
ON CUSTOMER SERVICE AREA; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICT; PROVIDING FOR
SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING FOR CODIFICATION; AND PROVIDING FOR AN
EFFECTIVE DATE."
A motion was made by Council Member Clark to adopt proposed Ordinance No. 1204;
seconded by Council Member Jarriel.
February 4, 2020 Regular Meeting Page 4 of 8
Planner Smith distributed a Planning Staff Report Memorandum that provided the
information requested at the first reading as follows: City Code Section 90-512 requires
that parking be provided for restaurants, nightclubs, and bars at one parking space per
75 -square feet of floor area. Historically, when reviewing site plans, use of the term "floor
area" in this requirement has sometimes been interpreted to mean all inside and outside
customer service areas. However, the term "floor area" typically refers to the amount of
floor area within a building. The purpose of reviewing the parking standard was to
determine whether additional clarification is necessary as it may not provide a sufficient
basis for determining the amount of parking needed for some types of restaurants,
including those which primarily provide take-out services, rely on a significant amount of
outdoor seating, or drive-in restaurants. In order to provide some context for this
discussion, the site plans reviewed were for Lightsey's Seafood Restaurant, Checkers
Fast Food Restaurant and the Wawa gas station.
Lightsey's has 6,076 -square feet of floor area, 5,403 -square feet of indoor dining, and
2,280 -square feet of outdoor dining. The required parking spaces based on indoor and
outdoor dining area was 102 (7,683 divided by 75). The site plan was approved with 83
off-street parking spaces, with on -street parking approved for the remainder. Using the
square footage of the actual floor area would have required 81 off-street parking spaces
(6,076 divided by 75). The proposed amendment language would have required the same
102 off-street spaces.
Checkers with take-out and drive-through service, proposed 912 -square feet of floor area,
no indoor seating, 500 -square feet of outdoor patio with six outdoor dining tables seating
24 persons, and three to seven employees per shift. The current Code required 12 off-
street parking spaces (912 divided by 75). The proposed amendment would only require
seven off-street parking spaces (500 divided by 75).
Wawa gasoline service station, convenience store, restaurant, coffee shop with take-out
proposed 6,119 -square feet of floor area, 3,414 -square feet devoted to restaurant/coffee
shop, 2,705 -square feet devoted to the convenience store and other non -restaurant uses,
both indoor and outdoor seating, seven outdoor dining tables seating 28 persons, 16
vehicle fueling stations, and five to 10 employees per shift. Based on indoor and outdoor
dining area and other uses 55 off-street parking spaces were required (3,414 divided by
75 equals 45.52 plus 2,705 divided by 300 equals 9.02). The plan was approved for 47
off-street parking spaces with parking at vehicle fueling stations and 23 on -street spaces
to satisfy the remaining required parking. The amendment would be the same as
interpreted during site plan review, 55 spaces.
To compare the above examples under strict interpretation of the term "floor area",
Checkers would be required to have less than currently required, going from 12 to seven
required spaces. Lightsey's would be required to have more than currently required, going
from 81 to 102 required spaces. Adopting a restaurant parking standard that many other
communities use, which is based on customer service area instead of floor area, would
account for inside and outside customer service areas. The benefit of this is that
regardless of what other uses exist and where the customer service area is located, the
restaurant customer service area is considered in the calculation. Planning and City Staff
believe the revisions as proposed would be a more equitable way for parking
requirements. The customer service area would be considered in this calibration.
Mayor Watford opened the floor for public comments; there were none. Council Member
Abney commented this is a step forward in alleviating the parking issues.
Mayor Watford, Council Members Abney, Clark, Jarriel, and Keefe voted: Aye.
Nays: none. Motion Carried.
D. A motion was made by Council Member Clark to read proposed Ordinance No. 1205 by
title only, regarding LDR Text Amendment No. 19 -004 -TA, amending Special Exception
and Supplemental Use Regulations in Code Section 90-692 [as provided in Exhibit 5];
seconded by Council Member Keefe.
Mayor Watford, Council Members Abney, Clark, Jarriel, and Keefe voted: Aye.
Nays: none. Motion Carried.
February 4, 2020 Regular Meeting Page 5 of 8
Attorney Fumero read proposed Ordinance No. 1205 by title only as follows: "AN
ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF OKEECHOBEE, FLORIDA; AMENDING CHAPTER
90 OF THE LDRS OF THE CITY OF OKEECHOBEE; AMENDING SECTION 90-
692, REVISING REQUIRED SETBACKS FOR SERVICE STATIONS AND
UNDERGROUND FUEL TANKS; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICT; PROVIDING FOR
SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING FOR CODIFICATION; AND PROVIDING FOR AN
EFFECTIVE DATE."
A motion was made by Council Member Jarriel to adopt proposed Ordinance No. 1205;
seconded by Council Member Clark.
Planner Smith distributed a revised Planning Staff Report Memorandum and an amended
proposed Ordinance No. 1205 explaining the following: the City's LDRs contains a
definition for "auto service station" as well as supplemental regulations for auto service
stations; which are listed as permitted in the Heavy Commercial (CHV) district, Central
Business (CBD) district, IND district, and the Mixed -Use Planned Unit Development
(PUD -M) district.
Section 66-1 provides a definition as follows: "Auto service station means an
establishment used for sale of motor fuel, oil, motor vehicle accessories, and as an
accessory use convenience goods to gasoline customers, and which may include
facilities for lubricating, washing, servicing and minor repairs to vehicles, but not including
painting and body repairs."
Any facility which sells gas and convenience goods meets this definition of "auto service
station" and therefore should meet the requirements of Section 90-692, all of which are
more restrictive than those of the CHV and CBD district, and most of which are more
restrictive than the IND district. While it may be appropriate to require a larger lot area,
less lot coverage and greater setbacks from residential, it may not be necessary to require
greater setbacks for underground fuel tanks or greater standard setbacks for all
structures.
It is likely that the service station setbacks and regulations were intended to apply to
service stations with above ground fuel tanks. Now that most gas stations utilize
underground fuel tanks, this additional setback could be considered an onerous
restriction. Based on Staff review of site plans for gas stations, it has been a difficult
requirement to meet for some facilities. At their October meeting, the Planning Board held
a workshop and agreed to reduce the structure and underground fuel tank setback
requirements to match the CHV district setbacks. In order to address the concerns stated
during the first reading regarding the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
requirements, Planning Staff suggested adding a paragraph (8) to Section 90-692. The
NFPA standards may be amended from time to time, the reference will ensure that
whatever the latest NFPA standards may be, future site plans will be required to adhere
to the City regulations or the NFPA regulations, whichever are more stringent.
Mayor Watford opened the floor for public comments; there was none. Fire Chief Smith
explained he refers to State requirements when reviewing plans, as those guidelines are
more stringent. The City has already adopted the most recent NFPA standards in Code
Section 66-10(a)(2).
Council Member Abney moved to amend proposed Ordinance No. 1205 revising Section
90-692 by adding paragraph (8) NFPA - site plans shall conform to NFPA standards [as
referenced in Section 66-10(a)(2)]; seconded by Council Member Jarriel.
Mayor Watford, Council Members Abney, Clark, Jarriel, and Keefe voted: Aye.
Nays: none. Motion to Amend Carried.
There being no further discussion, Mayor Watford, Council Members Abney, Clark,
Jarriel, and Keefe voted: Aye. Nays: none. Motion Carried as Amended.
MAYOR WATFORD CLOSED THE PUBLIC HEARING AT 7:08 P.M.
February 4, 2020 Regular Meeting Page 6 of 8
VII. NEW BUSINESS
A. A motion was made by Council Member Clark to award Bid No. PW 01-00-12-19,
Centennial Park Restroom and Pavilion Improvements, to Seminole Design -Build, Inc. in
the amount of $175,562.20 [as provided in Exhibit 6]; seconded by Council Member
Jarriel.
Bid No. PW 01-00-12-19 was let on December 10, 2019. The mandatory Pre -Bid meeting
was held on January 13, 2020. In addition to Seminole Design -Build, Inc., Boromei
Construction, Inc. submitted a Bid for $179,000.00.
Administrator MontesDeOca explained the estimated budgeted amount for this project
was $135,000.00. The project will include construction services needed to furnish and
install one prefabricated restroom building with one restroom, a utility chase for housing
mechanical and electrical equipment, and storage; one 20 -foot by 40 -foot steel frame,
metal roof, single tier, metal hip roof picnic pavilion including a 4 -inch thick concrete floor
slab; and two 10 -foot by 10 -foot steel frame, metal roof, single tier, metal hip roof picnic
shelters including 4 -inch thick concrete floor slabs. All plumbing and other fixtures will be
stainless steel including toilet, sink, urinal, and drinking fountain. The drinking fountain
will be mounted on an exterior wall and a hose bib will be included in the utility chase.
Mayor Watford, Council Members Abney, Clark, Jarriel, and Keefe voted: Aye.
Nays: none. Motion Carried.
B. Administrator MontesDeOca asked the Council to consider amending the sale of alcohol
in restaurants on Sunday from 1:00 P.M. to 10:00 A.M. to coincide with Okeechobee
County. There was a brief discussion on this item, with the consensus of the Council
being to change the times instructing the City Attorney to draft an Ordinance to be
presented for first reading at the next meeting.
C. Mayor Watford explained the Okeechobee Board of County Commissioners recently
adopted a resolution declaring the County a Second Amendment Sanctuary. He posed
the City consider adopting the same, and asked Attorney Fumero for direction. He
explained the adoption of a resolution would be a policy statement of the City. There was
no further discussion on this item. The consensus of the Council was to declare the City
a Second Amendment Sanctuary City, and instructed Attorney Fumero to present a
resolution for adoption at the next meeting.
D. The materials distributed at the meeting included a memorandum from Administrator
MontesDeOca, an email to County Administrator Robbie Chartier on December 19, 2019,
and a two-page spreadsheet prepared by Mrs. Chartier providing potential costs of
providing fire services to the City.
A motion was made by Council Member Keefe to formally request a contract for fire
services in the City from the Okeechobee Board of County Commissioners; seconded by
Council Member Jarriel. Council Member Keefe explained his intent of the motion was to
provide official direction from the Council to begin contract negotiations for fire services.
Both City and County staff have been generating and gathering information with no
guidance on how to proceed with that information. The public has now been noticed and
will be privity to these negotiations. He would also like to continue exploring the
implementation of EMS Services within the City.
Mayor Watford asked whether the Council would like to provide the Administrator with
particular instructions. The consensus of the Council was to review a contract the County
provides and formally negotiate based on the information included within the document.
Council Member Abney clarified the Council will still explore the option of the City
implementing EMS Services, and this can be performed while negotiating a contract.
Mayor Watford expressed his disagreement with a contract for fire service with the
County, as the City will not be able to control the future costs of this service. The Council
should also consider the costs of re -implementing fire services within the City, should the
County decide to cancel the contract. He would prefer to give up taxing authority to the
County, as this is the only way to guarantee savings and a lower millage rate. However,
this would have to be done in the form of a ballot referendum to be voted on by City
residents. It is his opinion that the citizens be allowed to vote on this issue.
February 4, 2020 Regular Meeting Page 7 of 8
L
Council Member Keefe agreed with Mayor Watford and requested the Clerk's office to
research the process of placing a referendum on the 2020 general election ballot. As he
stated in a previous meeting, there is a larger voter turnout in a presidential election year.
He questioned the possibility of considering all three options: contract with the County;
implementation of EMS Services; and a referendum on the ballot, noting the Council
would not be bound by the outcome of the vote.
Mayor Watford then opened the floor for public comments. Fire Chief Smith noted his
appreciation that the Council is open to consider other options. He asked for clarification
that the motion is not actually approving a contract (which is correct), and that his
employees be considered when negotiating the contract. Retired educator Ms. Raia
Black, 1521 Southwest 711 Avenue, asked the Council to consider changing the word
contract to proposal. It was explained that proposals are basically contracts in this type
of situation. She then voiced her concerns with voting on a referendum that the Council
would have the ability to ignore the outcome and could still move forward with contracting
the fire services regardless of the voters' decision. There being no further discussion,
Mayor Watford closed the floor for public comments.
Council Members Abney, Clark, Jarriel, and Keefe voted: Aye. Nays: Mayor
Watford. Motion Carried.
E. EMS verification updates item was withdrawn from the agenda.
VIII. COUNCIL COMMENTS
Council Member Abney suggested the Council review and consider the possible options
provided regarding the fire service issue, as this decision cannot be made overnight.
IX.
Council Member Jarriel voiced his concerns with the Okeechobee News publishing
negative anonymous comments pertaining to statements he made at the January 21,
2020, meeting regarding the anticipated fire services contract with the County.
Council Member Keefe addressed the employability of the Fire Department Personnel,
should the City contract with the County for Fire Services.
Council Member Clark requested the EMS verification update be placed on the February
18, 2020, agenda. Her comments then turned to the possible outcomes of the financial
stability of the City, with the City utilizing reserve funds to balance the budget.
There being no further items on the agenda, Mayor Watford adjourned the meeting at 7:57 P.M.
The next regular meeting is scheduled for February 18, 2020, at 6:00 P.M.
Dowling R. -atford,'Jr., Mayor
ATTEyST:
Lane damiotea, CY' C, City Clerk
Please take notice and be advised that when a person decides to appeal any decision made by the City Council
with respect to any matter considered at this meeting, he/she may need to ensure that a verbatim record of the
proceeding is made, which record includes the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is to be based. City
Clerk media are for the sole purpose of backup for official records of the Clerk.
February 4, 2020 Regular Meeting Page 8 of 8